Category Archives: Drug Charges
The trouble with police informants and sting operations
Police departments throughout Florida use confidential informants (CIs) as part of a strategy to enforce drug laws. But this system often means that the prosecution is using someone who has been arrested and is working with the police to avoid being charged with a crime. Consequently, the informant is probably highly motivated to help… Read More »
Handling a knock on your door by the police
Consider this scenario: You’re having a party, and things get a little loud. The neighbors in another apartment don’t appreciate your music and the laughter from your guests. The neighbors call the police. The next thing you know, there’s a knock on your door and two uniformed officers are standing outside. Before you open… Read More »
How do the police know if you’re high when they pull you over?
When police suspect that a driver is intoxicated, the can conduct a breath test, get a reading and arrest that person if the breath test indicates that the driver’s blood-alcohol level is over .08. It’s not so easy, however, when police suspect someone of being impaired due to marijuana or another drug. So, how… Read More »
Undercover ‘sting’ operations and violations of defendants’ rights
It’s not uncommon for undercover police officers to impersonate a drug buyer in order to conduct a “sting” operation. This investigative tactic has led to many arrests and many serious drug charges in Palm Beach County. It’s also not uncommon for the arrested individuals to feel that their rights were violated by police. The… Read More »
3 basic factors to analyze for an effective defense in drug crime cases
Even when a large amount of a drug has been seized as evidence, a drug charge does not automatically lead to a conviction. You are presumed innocent until proven guilty, and you have a right to defend against the charge. When building a defense, the following three basic factors should be analyzed to determine… Read More »
What is fentanyl?
The opioid crisis is impacting states all over the country, including Florida. Fentanyl is a particularly dangerous synthetic opioid that was originally approved as a treatment for severe pain related to cancer. It has since become widely abused and sold illegally and is also linked to high overdose risk. According to the Centers for Disease… Read More »
Can officers search your car if they smell cannabis?
Although the U.S. Constitution protects you against unreasonable search and seizure, law enforcement can bypass the need for a warrant by showing reasonable cause for a search. Police generally need to show that they had reason to believe you were breaking the law. This often happens during traffic stops. In the past, officers in… Read More »